Watchcase



June 16, 1953 A. J. GE-OFFRION WATCHCASE s Sheets-She et 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1952 m w RJM w MF. E NF 0 m W m6 A 1 w i M? Z. 3 48 i l g a r: Fv a 7. 0 ww. Q a I H l jw I7 7% E at 31 5 p Filed Sept. 4, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 1953 A. J. GEOFFRION Y 2,641,901

WATCHCASE 50a. J5 57 67 59 {357 /03 f'fome/a/v IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 16, 1953 WATCHCASE Arthur J. Geoffrion, Manhasset, N. Y., assignor to Lapwell Watch Case Crp., Greenvale, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 4, 1952, Serial No. 307,872

16 Claims.

This invention relates to watch cases and more particularly relates to watch case construction especially adapted for the provision of a watch case of the waterproof type that is designed to prevent ingress of water or other liquid from the exterior of the watch case to the interior where the movement is located.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved means for holding a back member of a watch case in secured relation with respect to a side wall member. It is a further object of this invention to provide such improved means for holding a back member in secured relation to a side wall member of a watch case so as to effectively cooperate with liquid seal means, such as a gasket, for preventing ingress of liquid into the interior of the watch case. A still further object of this invention is to provide means of the character aforesaid which can be readily and inexpensively manufactured and which is of such character that the parts can be readily assenibled and can be readily disassembled whenever it is desired to remove the back member so that the movement can be taken from the watch case for servicing.

One of the principal features of this invention resides in the provision of a side wall member having a succession of projections which project inwardly relative to the inner surface of the side wall member adjacent the bottom thereof where the back member is secured in place. The outer edge of the back member is such that it substantially conforms to the inner surface of the side Wall member and in order that the back member may be moved past the aforesaid projections a succession of recesses is provided in the margin of the back member which are located and dimensioned as to clear the projections. By such construction the back member can be moved inwardly from the back of the side wall member so that its outer edge is confined within the inner surface of the side wall member. In order to hold the back member in place elongated locking member means is disposed along the margin of the back member so as to fall between the under surface of the margin of the back member and the upper surfaces of the projections. The elongated locking member means is adapted in relation to the other parts with which it cooperates so that it can be readily inserted and re moved from the position aforesaid which prevents the removal of the back member from the side wall member past the projections.

In providing a watch case of liquid proof construction a suitable gasket is employed disposed along the surface of the margin of the back member which is opposite to that which faces the elongated locking member means and the gasket means is held in place as by the employment of a suitable backing member therefor so that, when the elongated locking member means is in position disposed between the under surface of the margin of the back member and the upper surfaces of the projections which project inwardly from the side wall member, the margin of the back member is pressed against the gasket means so as to provide a liquid-tight seal.

It is a desirable feature of this invention that the improved means hereinabove referred to is adapted for use in connection with watch cases of different shapes. Thus, the watch case may be of polygonal shape wherein the side walls com prise a plurality of portions which abut each other at an angle. Alternatively this side wall of the watch case can be continuously curved as, for example, in the case of a round watch case.

In the case of a watch case wherein the side wall member, or more particularly the inner surface of the side wall member within which the back member is adapted to be positioned, is composed of a plurality of angularly disposed portions the elongated locking member means preferably is in the form of a plurality of pins each of which is adapted to be slid longitudinally relative to the under surface of a portion of the back wall member and the upper surfaces of the projections which protrude from the corresponding portions of the inner surface of the side wall member.

In the case of a watch case wherein the inner surface of the side wall member and the corresponding outer edge of the back member are continuously curved, the elongated locking member means may be in the form of a continuously curved spring member which has a break therein and which when contracted under tension may be caused to conform substantially to the curvature of the inner surface of the side wall and to the curvature of the margin of the back member. In such case the curved spring member is adapted to slip laterally underneath the ends of the projections and so as to fall between the upper surfaces of the projections and the under surface of the margin of the back member. Preferably in such construction the opposing surfaces presented by the under surface of the back member and the uppersurfaces of the projections are relatively inclined to a slight extent so that the spacing between the surfaces is somewhat greater adjacent the extremities of the projections than adjacent the inner surface of the side wall member. By such construction when the back mem her is pressed against the gasket means so as to compress it the elongated curved spring member is permitted to assume a more expanded position and because of the friction between the spring member and the surfaces in contact therewith the curved spring member will be held in its more expanded position thus maintaining the margin of the back member compressed against the gasket so as to maintain a liquid-tight seal.

One of the principal advantages of this invention is that means is afforded whereby the pressure exerted against a gasket or similar sealing material is maintained essentially uniform at all points along the gasket thus assuring the maintenance of an effective liquid seal. Further advantages of this invention result from the fact that the parts necessary for obtaining a very effective seal are simple and are adapted to be readily machined in the manufacture of a watch case. A further advantage of this invention is that the parts are such that they can be readily assembled in the manufacture of a watch case and can be readily disassembled for servicing whenever such servicing may be desired. The parts can be readily assembled and disassembled without the necessity for using special tools.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent in connection with the following description of certain embodiments of this invention which have been shown for purposes of illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a watch case which illustrates one type, namely, a square watch case, with which my invention may be utilized;

Fig. 2 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of a portion of the watch case shown in Fig. 1 wherein most of the elements are shown in section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1 and also along the line 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but with the section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 shows the back of the capsule portion of the watch case shown in Figs. 1. 2 and 3 with portions of the different elements thereof cut away so as to show the relation of the parts, Fig. 4 being on a somewhat smaller scale as compared with Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 shows the back member of the capsule portion of the watch case shown in Fig. 4 with the other parts removed so as to show the marginal contours thereof more clearly;

Fig. 6 shows on a smaller scale the locking pins comprised in the elongated locking member means with the other parts removed for clarity in the showing;

Fig. "7 is a section taken on the line 1'! of Fig. 4 on a larger scale;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of the trailing end portion of one of the locking pins taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a back view of the back member, the locking pins and the projections as they are disposed in the region of the upper right hand corner of Fig. 4 wherein these parts were broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 3 showing a portion of a watch case of modified construction according to the invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 10 but showing a further alternative construction according to this invention;

Fig. 12 is a back View of a further alternative 4 embodiment of this invention illustrating its utilization in a round watch case;

Fig. 13 shows the. elongated curved spring locking member comprised in the structure shown in Fig. 12 as removed from the other elements and expanded to a larger dimension as compared with its disposition in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is an elevation of a portion of the watch case shown in Fig. 12 in which most of the parts are shown in section taken on the line I4|4 of Fig. 12.

The embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9 will first be described. As above mentioned Figs. 1 to 9 are illustrative of the utilization of this invention in connection with a watch case which is of square configuration. Moreover the embodiment shown in these figures illustrates the utilization of this invention in connection with a watch case of the type wherein the waterproof construction is comprised in a capsule which in the finished watch is surrounded by an ornamental shell or casing except for the transparent cover over the watch dial.

The watch case as a whole is indicated generally by the reference character l5. When the watch case is used for a wrist watch suitable brackets 6 for holding the strap or band elements I! may be attached to the exterior of the watch case in any suitable way well known in the art such as soldering.

In the embodiment of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9 the novel construction of this invention is shown as embodied in the interior capsule portion of the watch case and this portion of the watch case will first be described. The capsule portion of the watch case comprises the shell 18 which in this embodiment of the invention is the side wall member to which the back member is secured in liquid-tight sealed relation. The back member is indicated by the reference character l9. The outer edge lSa of the back member l9 fits within the inner surface l8a. of the side wall member l8 in close proximity thereto. Disposed over the upper surface of the margin I9b of the back member 19 is a gasket 20 comprising yieldable resilient material. The gasket may, for example, be composed of rubber or other elastomer. Alternatively a material such as vinyl resin or nylon could be used. The gasket can be readily made in continuous form as by cutting it from a sheet to the desired dimensions so that it will be disposed in the position shown in the drawings overlying all portions of the margin l9b of the back member i9. Any suitable means may be used for maintaining the gasket in position so that the margin 1% of the back member I9 can be pressed thereagainst. In the embodiment shown such means is in the form of an inner frame 2| which can be held in secured relation to the side wall member l8 as by welding at 22. The frame 2| is also referred to herein as backing member means and it presents at the bottom thereof a surface in opposed spaced relation with respect to the upper surface of the margin l9b of the back member [9, the gasket 20 being interposed between these surfaces.

For holding the upper surface of the margin I91) of the back member l9 pressed against the gasket 20 a succession of projections 23 are provided adjacent the bottom of the side wall member [3 which project inwardly with respect to the inner surface hla of the side wall member l8. In order to permit the back member l9 to be inserted and removed a succession of re cesses 24 are provided in the margin IQ?) of the back member l9. The projections 23 and the recesses 24 are disposed so that the several projec tions overlap the several recesses. Moreover, the dimensions of the recesses and of the projections are such that the recesses clear the projections so that the back member can be freely inserted to the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 7 by moving the recesses past the projections.

In order to hold the back member I9 in the inserted position shown, elongated locking member means is employed which is disposed between the under surface of the margin |9b of the back member i9 and the upper surfaces of the projection 23.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 9, the elongated locking member means is in the form of a plurality of pins, one pin being provided along each wall portion of the side wall member l8. These pins are indicated by the reference characters 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d. These pins may as shown be of rectangular cross seotion. In order to hold them in place against possible lateral removal the back member |9 may have the offset I50 therein between the margin |9b thereof and the central portion of the back member. This offset cooperates with the projections 23 to prevent lateral removal of the locking pins. The several locking pins, however, are adapted to be slid longitudinally thereof between the under surface of the margin |9b of the back member and the upper surfaces of the projections 23. To permit such sliding movement so that they may be inserted and withdrawn the side wall member is is cut away at the corners as indicated at |8a in Figs. 4 and 9. One of the pins, i. e., the pin 250, is shown by dotted lines in Fig. '7 in partially removed position. This cut out portion at each corner of the side wall member is in the region of each of the corners |9cZ of the back member l9 which is shown in Fig. 5 separated from the other parts.

Preferably the locking pins are such that the leading end of each pin holds locked in place the trailing end of the pin previously inserted. Moreover, each locking pin is provided at its trailing end with a thickened portion indicated at 26a, 25b, 26c and 25d of the respective pins 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d so as to facilitate handling of the pins and so as to facilitate removal of the pins when it may be desired to do so. The structure of the locking pins as well as their manner of use in assembling and disassembling the watch case will be described more in detail hereinbelow.

Any suitable type of movement may be used in the watch case. Such movement is diagrammatically indicated. in Figs. 2 and 3 by the reference character 29. The movement presents the dial 4| the outer edge of which is adapted to abut the under surface of the flange 42 which is directed inwardly with reference to the inner frame or backing member 2|. Preferably the upper portion of the movement 29 presents a marginal inwardly inclined upper surface 33 which underlies the margin of the dial 4| so as to permit slight flexing of the margin of the dial when the movement 29 is inserted so as to bring the dial 4| into contact with the flange 42. The movement is held in this position by the movement holding frame 3| which is disposed between the flange 32 of the movement 29 and the upper surface of the margin |3b of the back member l9.

In assembling the capsule portion of the watch case the inner frame or backing member 2| is placed in the desired position and is secured to the side wall member I3 as by the welding 22. The transparent cover or crystal 33 may then be cemented in place. The crystal may be composed of any suitable transparent material such as glass or plastic. It is to be noted that the crystal 33 is bordered by a plurality of surfaces which are available for cementing it in place. Thus, there are laterally disposed surfaces 34 and 35 separated by the vertically disposed surface 36. Each of these surfaces is opposed to corresponding surfaces presented by the member 2|. The provision of this large surface area with portions thereof disposed in different directions enables the crystal 33 to be firmly bonded in place by a suitable cement in such a way that the union will be both strong and liquid-tight. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 additional cementing surfaces are also provided between the crystal and the upper margin of the side wall member I8. I have found such construction to be extremely effective in providing a permanent water-tight seal notwithstanding rough usage of the watch case.

The above mentioned parts having been placed in position the movement 25 together with its attached dial 4| and the movement holding frame 3| may be inserted from the back of the watch case. After having placed the gasket 2|] in position the back member I9 is inserted into the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 7. Pressure is then applied to the back member l9 so as to slightly compress the gasket 2!], and after this has been done the pins 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d are inserted. The dimensions of the parts are such that after the pins have been inserted the upper surface of the margin 1% of the back member l9 will be maintained in pressure contact with the gasket 20. Moreover, the dimensions of the parts are such that the movement will be maintained in desired position within the watch case. When the gasket 29 is thus maintained under pressure the peripheral surfaces thereof are pressed against the upper surface of the margin I922 of the back member l9, against the lower surface of the backing member 2| and against the inner surface of the side wall member I8. The result is that a liquid-tight seal is afforded. It is to be noted that the construction is such that the gasket 28 is maintained under the same pressure throughout the extent of each portion of the margin of the back member l9 along which the respective locking pins are disposed. In this way a highly effective seal is provided with the gasket maintained under uniform pressure completely about the periphery of the back member.

In inserting the pins using the particular embodiment shown the pin 25a is first inserted in the direction of the arrow as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The pin 25%) is next inserted and it is to be noted that the leading end Zl'b thereof is shaped so as to overlap the trailing end 26a of the pin 25a so as to prevent the removal of the pin 25a. Similarly the leading end 27c of pin 250 which is next inserted overlaps the trailing end 2539 of the pin 2522 so as to lock the pin 2% in place and the leading end 2702 of the pin 25d which is last inserted locks the trailing end 260 of the pin 250 in place. It may be noted that the leading end of the pin 25a is cut off so that even though the pin 25a has been fully inserted the pin 25d can be longitudinally inserted past the leading end of the pin 25a. While the resilient force tending to expand the compressed gasket ordinarily is sufficient to maintain the pin 25d in position between the under surface of the margin of the cover member 59 and the upper surfaces of the projections 23, one may, if desired, provide on the pin 2501 a small boss 23 which is adapted and positioned to coact with one of the projections 23 so as to provide additional means for preventing accidental Withdrawal of the pin 25d after it has been placed in position.

When it is desired to remove the back member then the operations above mentioned are merely reversed. The trailing ends 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d of the pins 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d are such that any convenient instrument such as a small screw driver can be used to push the pins outwardly for their successful removal. After the pin have been removed then the back member Hi can likewise be removed, thus permitting the removal of the movement.

While the successio of projections adjacent the bottom of the side wall member and the complementary recesses in the margin of the back member may take any suitable form it is preferable that the spacing between the projections be substantially greater than the lateral Width of the projections so that the portions of the margin of the back member between the recesses will provide as much area of contact as possible with the gasket 2%. Moreover, it is desirable that the recesses in the margin of the back member be spaced substantially inwardly from the corners so that the corner portions of the back member may be maintained compressed against the gasket by the extremities of the locking pin in substantially the same way that the other portions of the margin of the back member are pressed against the gasket.

In the construction above described the parts comprising the capsule may be made of any suitable material. Ordinarily because of strength and cost factors the material used is stainless steel, but other metals may also be employed.

While the brackets it could, if desired, be affixed directly to the sidewall member N3, the side wall member i3 and the back member I9 in such case forming the exterior of the Watch ease, the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 9 is shown as comprising an outer shell which may be made of any suitable metal, e. g. in the form of solid r gold, gold plated or gold filled parts. The particular shell shown is composed of two parts. The part which provides the exterior of the back of the watch case is indicated by the reference character 3?. This part of the shell is provided with an upturned marginal flange 31a which is adapted to fit about the outer surface of the side wall member IS adjacent the bottom thereof so as to be normally held in place thereon. The part 3? serves to conceal the back member I9 and the structure by which the back member 59 is held in secured relation with respect to the side wall member it. In order to assist in holding the shell part 37 in place a plurality of small bosses 38 adapted to cooperate with corresponding recesses in the outer surface of the side wall member is may be employed. However, any other equivalent means may be used which is adapted to assist in retaining the shell part 31 in place while permitting its ready removal. The other part of the outer shell is indicated by the reference character 39, the lower edge of which is adapted to abut the upper edge of the upturned marginal flange of the shell part 31. The shell part 39 may similarly be retained in place as by S a plurality of small bosses 40. When the shell parts 37 and 3a are employed the brackets I6 may be attached as by soldering to the shell part 39.

In Fig. 10 a modification of this invention is shown which comprises a locking pin having a somewhat different cross section as compared with that shown in the preceding figures and wherein the side wall member to which the back member is secured provides the external surface of the watch case. The external back of the watch case is also provided by the back member which is secured to the side wall member. While the movement and dial have not been shown in Fig. 10, the movement and dial may be the same as exemplified diagrammatically in Figs. 2 and 3. The movement holding frame 3!, the inner frame or backing member 2 l, the side wall member it, the welding 22 by which the backing member 2! is maintained in secured relation to the side wall member l8 and the gasket 20 may e essentially the same as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and for this reason these parts have been indicated by the same reference characters. .However, the border contours of the crystal 33 have a somewhat different configuration where they are cemented in place as compared with Figs. 2 and 3 so as to provide a more attractive appearance when the outer surface of the side Wall member provides the external surface of the watch case. Brackets such a the brackets It may be secured to the side wall member I8 which, as well as the back member l9, may be made of any suitable metal and present any desired type of ornamental surface. The back member I9 is held in secured relation with respect to the side wall member by means of the projections 23 in essentially the same manner as has been described hereinabove in connection with the preceding figures. The margin of the back member is to be understood as similarly provided with recesses for clearing the projections 23.

In Fig. 10 a locking pin 43 of somewhat different cross section is shown as compared with that shown in Figs. 2 to 9 in that it has a thickened inner margin 43a. By utilizing the thickened inner margin 513a the locking pin 43 can be provided with adequate strength even though the portion of the locking pin 43 between the upper surfaces of the projections 23 and the lower surface of the margin I912 of the back member I9 is relatively thin. In order that the thickened inner margin 43a of the locking pin 43 may be of as large cross sectional area as possible for providing strength characteristics, the offset between the margin lfib of the back member and the rest of the back member l9 may be inclined as shown. It is to be understood in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 that the general arrangement of the parts and the disposition and functioning of the locking pins is as hereinabove described in connection with Figs. 1 to 9.

Fig. 11 is generally similar to Fig. 10 except that a locking pin of a different configuration is used and except that an outer back member is employed to conceal the back member I 9 and the means by which the back member i9 is secured to the side wall member I8. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 the locking pin M is round and to assist in holding it in place it coacts with shallow recesses :35 and 46 in the margin [91) of the back member l9 and in the recesses 23 respectively. The structure shown in Fig. 11 is one which is adapted for the direct securement of Y 9 the brackets 16 to the side wall member l8 and in such case at least the external surface of the side wall member I 8 provides the desired external appearance. While the side wall member is may be made of stainless steel it may also be composed at least on the surface of some other ornamental metal such as gold. In order to conceal the back member [9 and the means by which it is secured to the bottom of the side wall member IS an outer back 47 of the watch case is employed having an upturned marginal flange Ala which fits about the exterior of the lower portion of the side wall member is. So that the external surface of the upturned marginal flange did of the back 41 may be flush with the upper portion Th embodiments above described are especially adapted for use in the case of a watch case -wherein the inner surface of a side wall member and the corresponding marginal edge of the back member comprise a plurality of portions which are so disposed that the adjoining portions intera sect at an angle. In the particular embodiment illustrated the watch case is substantially square. However, it is apparent that the watch case could be rectangular. While such watch cases generally have four such wall portions with corresponding margin portions for the back member this invention is equally applicable to any type of watch case wherein the parts in question are polygonal. Thus, for example, there could be six wall portions and corresponding margin portions of the back member instead of four and in such case the securing means along each portion would be the same as hereinabove described. Moreover, it is not essential that each of the wall portions be disposed along a straight line. For example, the Watch case shown instead of being a geometric square could be made so as to be of a cushion shape by having the inner surface of each wall portion and the corresponding portion of the margin of the back memberin the form of an arc of a circle. In such case the locking pins would also be in the form of a corresponding arc of a circle and they would be removable by longitudinal movement thereof in the same way that has been described hereinabove. Such arcuate side portions and corresponding arcuate portions of the margin of the back member could also be employed in connection with other polygonal shapes and it would also be possible to employ such arcuate portions in combination with other portions which are straight.

In all of the embodiments above described the preferred disposition of the locking pins of the structure is such so that the locking pins are disposed in the preferred way so that they may be removed and inserted by longitudinal movement thereof. Moreover, in Figs. 2 to 10 the relationship of the parts is such that the locking pin cannot be removed by lateral movement thereof with reference to the margin of the back member l9 and the projections 23. However, it

may be noted in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 11 thatthe round locking pin 44 is such that if desired it can be inserted and removed by lateral movement. If the back mem- 1G ber 19 is pressed against the gasket 26 so as to substantially compress it the locking pin M could be inserted and removed by lateral movement past the extremities of the projections 23.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 another embodiment of this invention is shown which is particularly suitable for a watch case wherein the outer edge of the back member and the corresponding inner surface of the side wall member are either round or in the form of some other continuous curve. The embodiment shown is one wherein the side wall member is adapted to provide the exterior of the watch case. This side wall member is indicated by the reference character 5,8 which has the inturned upper portion to which the round crystal 52 may be secured according to conventional practice. The brackets 15 are attached to the side wall member 56 for holding the band ii. The inner frame or backing member 52 is secured to the side wall member 5i! as by welding which is indicated 3. Within the inner frame or backing member 52 there is disposed the annular movement holding frame 54 which holds the movement 55 in place with the edge of the dial 555 abutting the under side of the inner margin of the inturned portion 5! of the side wall member as. For convenience in manufacture and assembly the lower portion tiia of the side wall member which presents the projections 51 is manufactured separately. In assembling the parts the inner frame or backing member 52 is inserted and secured in its desired location and then the lower portion 58a of the side wall member is secured to the upper portion of the side wall member as by welding. The margin 58a of the back member 58 is provided with recesses which overlie the respective projections 51 so that the back member 5% can be freely inserted into the position shown in Fig. 14 and can be removed as has been described more in detail hereinabove in connection with other embodiments.

In order to hold the back member 58 in the position shown in Fig. 14 the elongated locking member means which is employed is in the form of an annular spring ring 59 which has a break therein so that the ring tends to normally expand outwardly as, for example, to the position shown in Fig. 13. However, by urging the ends .of the ring together the ring can be made of diminished size so that it may be slipped under the ends of the projections 51 when the margin of the back member 58 is pressed against the annular gasket 68 which is disposed betwe n the upper surface of the margin 5% of the back member 58 and the opposed surface presented. by the inner frame or backing member 52. In order that the spring locking member es may maintain the margin 58a of the back member 55 pressed firmly against the gasket 60 the lower surface of the margin 58a of the back member 58 and the upper surfaces of the projections 57 are disposed so that when the spring ring 59 has expanded to position with the gasket som what compressed it will be retained in this position by a clutch action. This clutch action is provided by inclining the surfaces on the opposite sides of the spring ring 59 at a slight inclination relative to each 1 other so that the space between the surfaces will be somewhat wider adjacent the extremities of the projections 52 than adjacent the inner surface of the portion Eta of the side wall member 5!]. For example, the under surface of the margin 58a of the back member 58 may be inclined at approximately 10 to the horizontal while the upper surfaces of the projections may be inclined at approximately 22 to the horizontal. In such case after the spring ring 59 has been put in place while the gasket 69 is substantially compressed, thereby permitting the ring 59 to expand to the position shown in Fig. 14, the ring 59 will be maintained in this position by the friction between it and the surfaces on each side thereof and the margin 58a of the backing will be maintained firmly pressed against the gasket fill.

Whenever it is desired to remove the back member 58 for servicing the movement 55 all that is required is to remove the spring ring 5Q. In order to facilitate such removal the abutting ends of the spring ring 59 have inwardly and downwardly turned end portions indicated at 590: under which a suitable tool can be readily inserted for removing the ring 59 from its normal position between the under surface of the margin 58a of the back member 58 and the upper surfaces of the projections 51.

While the structure shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 has been illustrated in connection with a watch case wherein the outer margin of the back member and inner surface of the side wall member within which the back member fits is round a similar construction can be employed in connection with other configurations of a continuously curved type along which a continuously curved locking member having inherent spring characteristics can be disposed.

The construction hereinabove described and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 14 affords a liquid-tight seal both at the face and at the back of the watch case. The only other avenue of possible entrance of liquid is in the region of the stem which is used for the purpose of winding or setting or both. However, a liquid-tight seal in the region of the stem is well known in the art and any conventional construction may be employed. Usually such construction comprises telescoping parts to one of which the finger piece or crown is attached. By placing a suitable seal lubricant between the telescoping parts ingress of liquid can be prevented while permitting the usual retraction of the crown when it is desired to set the hands of the watch.

While this invention has been shown in the drawings and described hereinabove in connection with certain specific embodiments it is to be understood that this has been done for illustrative purposes in order to afford a better under-. standing of this invention and that this invention is capable of use in connection with other arrangements of the parts of a watch case in relation to the novel means of this invention for securing a back member to a side wall member and for providing a liquid-tight seal between these members according to the principles hereinabove described.

I claim:

1. A watch case having a, side wall member, a back member and holding means for holding said back member in secured relation to said side wall member, said holding means comprising a succession of inwardly directed recesses in and disposed about the peripheral margin of said back member, a succession of integral projections adjacent the bottom of said side wall member which project inwardly relative to the inner surface of said side wall member, the outer edge of said peripheral margin of said back member substantially conforming to the inner surface of said side wall member adjacent said recesses and said recesses being disposed in substantially over-- lapping relation with respect to said projections and being adapted to clear said projections so that said peripheral margin portion of said back member can be freely moved past said projections for insertion of said back member within said side wall member, backing member means which is maintained in fixed relation to said side wall member and which presents a surface disposed in opposed relation to said peripheral margin of said back member, gasket means comprising yieldable resilient material disposed between said surface and said peripheral margin of said back member, and removable elongated lock member means disposed along said peripheral margin of said back member and between said peripheral margin and said projections protruding from said side wall member, said lock member means as so disposed maintaining said peripheral margin of said back member pressed against said gasket means.

2. A watch case according to claim 1 wherein when said peripheral margin of said back member is maintained by said elongated lock member means pressed against said gasket means'said gasket means provides a liquid-tight seal along said peripheral margin of said back member for preventing ingress of liquid into the interior of said watch case.

3. A watch case according to claim 1 which comprises a second back member that provides the outer exposed surface of the back of said watch case and that has an upturned marginal portion which coacts with the outer surface of said side wall member to normally hold said second back member in secured relation t said side wall member while permitting the removal thereof.

4. A watch case according to claim 1 which comprises a transparent front cover which is adapted to extend over a movement and dial contained in the watch case and which is bordered by two horizontally disposed surfaces separated by a vertically disposed surface, both of said horizontally disposed surfaces as well as said vertically disposed surface being bonded by a waterresistant cement to complementary surfaces presented by said backing member means.

5. A watch case having a side wall member and a back member, a succession of projections projecting inwardly relative to the inner surface =10f said side wall member adjacent the bottom thereof, a succession of recesses in the margin of said back member which substantially register with said projections in overlapping relation thereto and which clear said projections so that said back member can be freely inserted within said side wall member, elongated locking member means disposed along said margin of said backing member and between said margin of said backing member and said projections for preventing withdrawal of said back member from said side wall member, and means for maintaining said elongated locking member means in position as so disposed.

6. A watch case comprising a, back member, a side wall member presenting an inner surface adjacent the bottom thereof disposed about the periphery of said back member in close'proxlmity thereto, a gasket comprising yieldable resilient material disposed along the upper surface of the margin of said back member, a member maintained in fixed relation with respect to said side wall member which presents a surface opposed to said upper surface of said marginof said'back member with said gasket therebetween, and

13 holding means for maintaining said upper surface of said margin of said back member pressed against said gasket, said holding means comprising a succession of projections projecting inwardly relative to said inner surface of said side wall member so as to substantially overlap said margin of said back member with the upper surfaces of said projections spaced substantially from the under surface of said margin of said back member, and removable elongated locking member means which is disposed between said upper surfaces of said projections and said under surface of said margin of saidback member and which as so disposed maintains the upper surface of said margin of said back member pressed against said gasket, said margin of said back member having a succession of inwardly directed recesses therein adapted to clear said projections so that said back member can be removed by movement past said projections when said elongated locking member means is removed from said position disposed between said upper surfaces of said projections and said under surface of said margin of said back member.

'7. A watch case according to claim 6 wherein the spacing of said projections from each other is substantially greater than the lateral width of said projections.

8. A watch case according to claim 6 wherein the margin of said back member and the inner surface of said side wall member each comprises a plurality of portions disposed with adjoining portions at an angle to each other and wherein said elongated locking member means comprises a plurality of separate portions disposed respectively along said portions of said margin of said back member and said portions of the inner surface of said side wall member, said portions of said elongated locking member means when disposed between said under surface of said portions of said margin of said backing member and the upper surfaces of said projections being longitudinally slideable relative thereto, at least one end of each of said portions of said elongated locking member means being accessible to permit withdrawal thereof, and said portions of the margin of said back member being shaped in relation to said projections so as to confine said portions of said elongated locking member means against lateral removal thereof.

9. A watch case according to claim 6 wherein said space between the under surface of said margin of said back member and the upper surfaces of said projections is open adjacent the extremities of said projections to permit the lateral removal of said elongated locking member means from position disposed therebetween and wherein when said elongated locking member means is disposed between said under surface of said margin of said back member and said upper surfaces of said projections so as to press said margin of said back member against said gasket said elongated locking member means is normal- 1y maintained in said position by the contours of said surfaces in relation to said elongated locking member means.

10. A watch case having a side wall member, a back member and holding means for holding said back member in secured relation to said side wall member wherein said side wall member comprises a plurality of wall portions with adjacent W311 portions presenting inner surfaces disposed at an angle with respect to each other and wherein said back member comprises a plurality of peripheral margin portions the outer edges of which are adapted to substantially conform with said inner surfaces of said wall portions of said side wall member, said' holding means comprising a succession of inwardly directed recesses disposed along said peripheral margin portions of said back member, a succession of integral projections adjacent the bottom of said wall portions of said side wall member which project inwardly relative to the inner surfaces of said wall portions, said recesses being disposed in substantially overlapping relation with respect to said projections and being adapted to clear said projections so that said back member can be moved freely past said projections for permitting removal of said back member from and insertion of said back member within said inner surfaces of said wall portions of said side wall member, backing member means which is maintained in fixed relation to said side wall member and which presents surface areas in opposed relation to said margin portions of said back member, gasket means comprising yieldable resilient material disposed between said surface areas and said margin portions of said back member, and a plurality of locking pins respectively disposed between said margin portions of said back member and said projections protruding from said wall portions of said side wall member, said locking pins as so disposed maintaining said margin portions of said back member pressed against said gasket means and said locking pins being adapted to be inserted into position as so disposed and to be removed from said position by longitudinal movement thereof.

11. A watch case having a side wall member, a back member and holding means for holding said back member in secured relation to said side wall member wherein said side wall member comprises four Wall portions angularly disposed with respect to each other and wherein said back member comprises four angularly disposed margin portions whose edge contours conform substantially with the inner surfaces of said wall portions of said side wall member, said holding means comprising a succession of recesses in each of said margin portions of said back member disposed substantially throughout the length of each of said margin portions, a succession of projections projecting inwardly from each of said wall portions of said side wall member which substantially register with and overlap said recesses and are dimensioned to clear said recesses so that said back member can be freely moved past and substantially beyond said projections when said back member is inserted within said side wall member from the back of the watch case, a locking pin disposed between each of said margin portions of said back member and said projections protruding from each of said wall portions, said side wall member being cut away in the region of each of the angles between said wall portions thereof so that said locking pins can be longitudinally inserted and removed when said back member has been inserted within said sidewall member as aforesaid, gasket means comprising yieldable resilient material which is disposed throughout the length of each of said margin portions of said back member in contact with the surface thereof opposite that facing said locking pins, and means for maintaining said gasket means in pressure contact with said margin portions of said backing member when said locking pins are disposed between said margin portions and said projections'for sealing the interior of the watch case against ingress of liquid past said margin portions of said back member.

12. A watch case according to claim 11 wherein in the region of an angle between adjoining margin portion of said back member the trailing end of one of said locking pins disposed along one of said margin portions is blocked so as to prevent its withdrawal by the leading end of the locking pin disposed along an adjoining margin portion.

13. A watch case comprising a back member having a continuously curved outer peripheral edge, a side wall member whose inner surface adjacent the bottom thereof is adapted to receive said back member with said outer peripheral edge of said back member in substantial conformity with said inner surface of said side Wall member and holding means for holding said back member in secured relation to said side wall member, said holding means comprising a succession of re cesses in and about the margin of said back member inwardly directed from saidouter peripheral edge thereof, a succession of projections integral with said side wall member adjacent the bottom thereof which project inwardly from said inner surface of said side wall member, said projections substantially overlapping said recesses and being adapted to be cleared by said recesses so that said back member can be freely inserted in said side wall member, an elongated curved spring member which is adapted when constricted against its inherent resilient spring action to form a continuous curve falling substantially a completely about the margin of said back member adjacent said outer peripheral edge thereof and which is disposed between said margin of said back member and said projections, gasket means which comprises yieldable resilient material and which is disposed about and along the surface of the margin of said back member opposits to that facing said spring member, and means for maintaining said gasket means in abutting relation to said. margin of said back member when said spring member is disposed between said margin of said backmember and said recesses.

14. A watch case according to claim 13 wherein the opposed surfaces presented by said margin of said back member and by said projections between which saidelongated spring member is disposed are relatively inclined to afiord gradually decreased spacing therebetween progressing toward the outer edge of said back member whereby upon urging said margin of said back member against said gasket means said spring member responsive to the inherent spring action thereof will be permitted. to move outwardly relative to said surfaces to a more expanded position and whereby said spring member is maintained in said more expanded position by friction between said spring member and said surfaces.

15. A Watch case comprising a back member having a substantially round outer edge, a side wall member having a substantially cylindrical inner surface adjacent the bottom thereof adapted to receive said back member therewithin in close proximity thereto, a succession of recesses in the margin of said back member, a succession of projections adjacent the bottom of said cylindrical inner surface of said side wall member, said projections and said recesses being disposed in overlapping relation and said recesses being. adapted to clear said. projections so that said back member can. be freely moved into position within said. substantially cylindrical surf-ace of said side wall member, an annular spring member which is cut to provide substantially abutting ends, which is disposed between the under surface of the margin of said back member and the upper surfaces or said projections and which as so disposed is constricted against the inherent spring action thereof tending to expand itto larger diameter, an annular backing member which is maintained in fixed position relative to said side wall member and which presents a surface in opposed relation to the surface of the margin of. said back member opposite to that facing said annular spring member, an annular gasket comprising yieldable' resilient material disposed between said surface presented by said backing member and said margin of said back member, said margin of said back member being maintained pressed against said gasket when said annular spring member is disposed between said margin of said back member and said projections, and said upper surfaces of said projections being slightly inclined relative to the under surface of said margin of said back member so that the spacing therebetween is slightly greater adjacent the extremities of said projections than adjacent said cylindrical inner surface of said side Wall member whereby upon pressing said margin of said back member against said gasket to compress said gasket said annular spring is permitted to expand to more extended position and be maintained in said more expanded position byfriction with said surfaces for maintaining said-margin of said back member pressed against said gasket.

16. A watchv case according to claim 15 wherein the substantially abutting ends of said annular spring member are inturned to facilitate the removal thereof.

ARTHUR J. GEOFFRION.

No references cited. 

